ABSTRACT

In this book Stephanie Bull and Kevin O’Farrell bring together practising clinicians who provide an insight into using contemporary art therapy with people with learning disabilities. The authentic voice of people who have learning disabilities is central to the book, and case examples, snapshots of thoughts, dialogue, photographs and artwork are included to ensure that the subjects' voices are heard.

The book covers:

  • having a learning disability
  • loss and bereavement
  • attachment and separation
  • infantilisation
  • fear
  • powerlessness
  • self and identity.

This accessible and thought-provoking book is essential reading for anyone involved with people with learning disabilities including art therapists, psychotherapists, counsellors, students and carers.

chapter |2 pages

‘Don't guess my happiness!’

ByAdam

part |16 pages

Having a learning disability

chapter |14 pages

Having a learning disability

The question of what to say and how to say it
ByJane Caven

part |31 pages

Loss

chapter |16 pages

Shaping loss

ByKim Dee

chapter |1 pages

Talking about loss

ByJanet (Sarah's carer)

chapter |8 pages

Leila's shunt

‘If I did not have the shunt in my head I would have been OK’
ByStephanie Bull, Emma Shallcross

chapter |1 pages

Talking about ending

ByHenry

part |19 pages

Attachment and separation

chapter |17 pages

Skating in the dark

BySandra Storey

part |12 pages

Infantilisation

chapter |10 pages

Stuck in childhood?

BySandra Goody

part |19 pages

Fear

chapter |1 pages

Talking about fear and anxiety

ByJo

chapter |16 pages

‘The long fingers of fear’

ByElizabeth Ashby

part |15 pages

Powerlessness

chapter |13 pages

‘It makes me jump when I fall over’

ByQuentin Bruckland

part |16 pages

Self and identity

chapter |9 pages

‘The Beast can scream’

ByStephanie Bull

chapter |1 pages

Talking about taking photographs

ByWilliam

chapter |4 pages

Conclusion

ByKevin O'Farrell